What a fantastic day! I traveled to the closest mountain(or hill) in Gaborone, Kgale Hill, and hiked with fellow international students. Driving there in convis, we got to see a substantial amount of the city. The hike was breathtaking. At the top we could see Gaborone below us, and the reservoir in the distance.
Before beginning our descent down the other side, we had a picnic. We opened up to one another, and discussed our hopes for our time in Botswana, places we plan to visit, how we intend to handle potential culture shock, and how we intend to deal with separation from friends, siblings, and parents. The consensus seems to be that using Skye and talking on the phone makes the separation more difficult. One student who studied abroad in South Africa last semester admitted that she avoided talking to her family and friends for several months to make the seperation easier.
During our descent, we came across a plethora of wild chimps. They freely roam around the mountain.. We saw several climbing on billboards as we left.
Before returning back to campus, we stopped by a market area. There we tried dried mophane worms, a traditional and seasonal Botswana food. I found them interesting, but not incredibly appetizing. Several locals say they are much better when cooked.
I began planning my trip to the northern part of the country for mid-semester break. I hope to visit Maun and Chobe National Park, and to canoe down the Okavango Delta. It seems all of the international students want to do this as well.
I've been invited to a local brie, the equivalent of a barbecue in the States, and to church with several local girls. I hope the service will be different from any I've been to before.
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